Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preventive Practice Towards Breast Cancer among General Practitioner Health Professionals in Morocco

Cluster analysis of cancer knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in the Moroccan population

BACKGROUND

Cancer has become a major health concern due to the increasing morbidity and mortality rates, and its negative social, economic consequences and the heavy financial burden incurred by cancer patients. About 40% of cancers are preventable. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cancer prevention, and associated characteristics to inform the development of targeted cancer prevention campaigns and policies.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of adult patients at Mohamed Sekkat and Sidi Othmane Hospitals in Casablanca, Morocco. Data collection was conducted by two trained interviewers who administered the questionnaire in-person in the local language. An unsupervised clustering approach included 17 candidate variables for the cluster analysis. The variables covered a wide range of characteristics, including demographics, health perceptions and attitudes. Survey answers were calculated to compose qualitative ordinal categories, including a cancer attitude score and knowledge score.

RESULTS

The cluster-based analysis showed that participants in cluster 1 had the highest mean attitude score (13.9 ± 2.15) and percentage of individuals with a high level of knowledge (50.8%) whereas the lowest mean attitude score (9.48 ± 2.02) and knowledge level (7.5%.) were found in cluster 3. The participants with the lowest cancer attitude scores and knowledge levels were aged 34 to 47 years old (middle age group), predominantly females, living in rural settings, and were least likely to report health professionals as a source of health information.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed that female individuals living in rural settings, belonging to an older age group, who were least likely to use health professionals as an information source had the lowest levels of knowledge and attitudes. These groups are amenable to targeted and tailored interventions aiming to modify their understanding of cancer in order to enhance the outcomes of Morocco's on-going efforts in cancer prevention and control strategies.

Behavioral interventions towards knowledge and awareness of reproductive cancer care: A study on select Indians using an online survey

BACKGROUND

The behavioral aspects of human beings influence the incidences of cancer cases directly and indirectly. The factors like positive thinking and motivation were found to change the behavior toward knowledge and awareness of cancer. The main objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and awareness of select Indians about reproductive cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The online survey method assessed various components of knowledge and awareness about reproductive cancer. A Google Form has been distributed through social media platforms such as e-mail, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The coded data has been computed in SPSS (version 25) by IBM (USA) for the analysis. Univariate and bivariate data analysis has been drawn to justify the objective.

RESULTS

Nearly 68 percent of the respondents were aware of reproductive cancer. Among them, 17 percent know about cervical cancer, and 12.5 percent have awareness about breast cancer. Electronic and print media (41.2 percent) were major sources of information about reproductive cancer. Nearly 48 percent of respondents reported that multiple sexual partners and poor sexual hygiene were risk factors for reproductive cancer. Around 57 percent of respondents reported reproductive cancer is preventable, 59 percent knew about cancer screening, and 63.5 percent knew the treatment process. The gender of the respondents was associated (p-value = 0.002) with awareness of reproductive cancer. It has been found that there is a significant association between knowledge of screening tests and the treatment process of reproductive cancer. The marital status of respondents is strongly associated (p-value = 0.000) with the awareness of reproductive cancer.

CONCLUSION

The factors like knowledge of reproductive cancer and awareness proceed as an important role in cancer prevention. A gender-neutral cancer awareness program is needed to increase cancer awareness irrespective of marital status.

Development and Validation of a Tool to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Women Towards Screening Mammography

Background

Breast cancer is a major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. The mortality rate of breast cancer is high in India due to late detection, and lack of knowledge about the screening mammography. The objective of this study was to develop and establish the psychometric properties of the tool.

Method

A qualitative method was used to carry out the development and validation of a tool to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of women towards screening mammography using a cross-sectional study design. Data analyzed using the SPSS 16 were descriptive, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to standardize the tool.

Results

The pilot test, content validity, and internal consistency reliability of the final 25 items were found to be highly adequate. Intra- class correlations of this questionnaire were considered acceptable. Cronbach's alpha score was 0.825.

Conclusion

A valid scale has been developed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perception of women toward screening mammography. The scale is adequately responsive to test the knowledge and possesses strong internal consistency. Lack of knowledge among the general population about the screening mammography. It is recommended to conduct an educational program to enhance knowledge about screening mammography. The questionnaires can be used for evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and perception of women toward screening mammography. Broadening the concept for further questionnaires tool development of knowledge, attitude, and perception of women towards screening mammography in other geographical areas.

Understanding and Practices of Gynaecologists Related to Breast Cancer Screening, Detection, Treatment and Common Breast Diseases: A Study from India

BACKGROUND

The knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and screening practices in a community is largely influenced by the practising gynaecologist in that area. We assessed the understanding and knowledge of gynaecologists about breast cancer: screening, risk factors, clinical signs, management and common benign breast diseases.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study was carried out in Uttar Pradesh, India, from April to September 2017. One hundred and fifty-two gynaecologists were assessed using a self-designed and validated questionnaire to assess the knowledge of risk factors, clinical signs, screening practices and management of breast cancer as well as common benign breast diseases. Further, the results were compared based on their education: undergraduates (UGs; no residency experience in obstetrics and gynaecology) versus postgraduates (PGs; residency experience in obstetrics and gynaecology).

RESULTS

67 and 82.2% of gynaecologists possess excellent to very good knowledge of risk factors and clinical signs of breast cancer, respectively. The knowledge of PGs seems to be better than UGs (p < 0.01). 84.9% participants were aware that breast cancer screening decreases breast cancer-related mortality, and 61.2% considered CBE as most relevant screening investigation (66.1% PGs and 41.9% UGs; p = 0.04). 30.2% regularly offer breast cancer screening at their centre. 58.5% did not consider screening mammography as cost-effective for their patients (57.9% PGs and 61.3% UGs; p = 0.72), and 41.4% considered it to be a time-consuming process (39.7% PGs and 48.4% UGs; p = 0.38). 99.3% like to follow up a patient with familial breast cancer by themselves, and 0.7% like to refer them to specialist. 51.9% gynaecologists were convinced of breast conservation surgery (BCS) as a surgical option, however 51.3% feared leaving diseased breast behind.

CONCLUSION

Despite the knowledge regarding risk factors, clinical signs and treatment of breast cancer and benign breast diseases was found adequate amongst the gynaecologists, this did not apply to their clinical practice. Structured and continuous training of gynaecologists is needed to improve the outcome of patients with breast diseases in terms of better management and reference.

Psychological Distress and Resilience in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Greece

Background:

Breast cancer is the most frequent type of cancer among women worldwide, especially in developed countries. To be diagnosed with breast cancer and undergo cancer treatment can be a very stressful event. It is estimated that one-third of cancer patients are dealing with psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression and resilience is a way of coping and overcome life stressors such cancer diagnosis.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to examine resilience in women diagnosed with breast cancer and its association with depression and anxiety.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted, 144 women diagnosed with breast cancer answered a questionnaire consisted of four parts: Sociodemographic data, the Patient Health Questionnaire Two-Item Depression Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25.

Results:

The majority of the sample belongs to age group 51- 60 years, with the mean age of 53.5 SD±11.7 years. The 59.5% of patients were residents of an urban area, 56.8% were married and 36.5% has 2 children. The mean value of CD-RISC25 was 65.3 SD±17.9, meaning a moderate resilience of cancer patients. The 54.5% of respondents indicated a depressed mood. The anxiety severity measured with the GAD-2, where the mean was 2.1 and 46.8% of patients suffered from high anxiety.

Conclusions:

According to our results, resilience can negative influence depressive symptomatology. Moreover, lower levels of depression can lead to fewer anxiety symptoms.